THE HAMPTON CLASSIC, GRAND PRIX

Kent Farrington, the winner, aboard Zafira clearing the final fence in the first round.

Georgina Bloomberg and Juvina, 3rd. place 

Richie Moloney, 2nd place, checks to see if the last fence in the first round is still standing as he makes time. 

Richie Moloney and Kent Farrington.     Georgina Bloomberg

A grey ceiling threatened proceedings as often does on Labor Day weekend.  During the night a wicked thunderstorm had frightened horses stabled in tented barns on Snake Hollow Road, and woke everyone on the east end of Long Island. No damage was done or spirits dampened and the event turned out to be, the best ever Hampton Classic Grand Prix.
Thirty-seven of the finest international show jumpers competed in the World Cup Qualifier with a purse of $250,000 sponsored by FTI Consulting.  An anxious crowed 'oohed' and 'aahed' with every fence negotiated.  The first few riders incurred time penalties and a set-time adjustment was considered.  Course builder Guilherme Jorge, banking on giving viewers an exciting show, hung out bravely with a nail-biting crowd for the first of only five clear rounds in what was proving to be a demolition derby.  The familiar 'clip' of a rail bouncing out of  it's cup and thudding to the ground was beginning to raise uncertainly of a clean winner.  Until, the ninetieth rider, Kevin Babington on Mark Q, and Irish bay gelding, made it though unscathed within 85 seconds.   Eleven more riders followed, none jumping without faults.  With seven competitors left Babington was looking like a sure bet, then the cloud lifted and Richie Moloney, Georgina Bloomberg, Kent Farrington and Brianne Goutal all jumped clean inside the time allowed.
The course was shortened for the jump-off taking out the very difficult back to back double combinations of 6 a. and b., and 7 a. and b. among others; the height was raised and the final outcome would be decided by the prestigious Longines clock.  It was a sultry afternoon and the pressure was on.  Irish born Richie Moloney scored the first clear.  Organizers could have played "New York, New York" for the next competitor, Georgina Bloomberg (the Mayor of New York's daughter).  Bloomberg had announced she was pregnant and a positive buzz from the crowd helped brake a spell of bad performances in front of her father, as she too jumped clear.  Glory however, went to last year's winner Kent Farrington on his back-up horse Zafira, who was not listed in the program.  When Farrington's entry Voyeur, came up with filling in his ankle the morning of the Classic, this nine-year-old KWPN mare, (by Nassau from Cappucino van Berkenbroek), considered by Farrington to be young and green, really stood-up to the plate clocking in at 38.51.  Richie Moloney and the different style of Slieveanorra, an Irish gelding, finished second in 40 seconds; and the glowing Georgina Bloomberg, on her beautiful grey mare Juvina placed third, scoring on-the-board for the first time in the Hampton Classic Grand Prix.
Farrington joined an elite group of five riders that have now defended  their Classic win successfully in consecutive years; one of whom is respected thoroughbred racehorse trainer, Michael Matz.

Richie Moloney and Slieveanorra greet the fans.

Georgina Bloomberg and Juvuna 

Juvina, 3rd place 

Kent Farrington and Zafira

Kent Farrington collecting 1st prize in the Hampton Classic Grand Prix

Zafira and Farrington's lap of honor

Brianne Goutal on Nice De Prissey, who also made the jump-off.

     Nice De Prissey was one of five stallions in the competion. 

Nice De Prissey, the strength and beauty of a stud.

Nice De Prissey, the final clear in the first round. 

Kevin Babington and Mark Q, the first clean round to make the jump-off.

McLain Ward on Rothchild.  He is the only rider to have won the HC Grand Prix twice in consecutive years, 1998, 1999, 2009 and 2010 but did not make the jump-off this year. 

Preceding the main event was a special retirement ceremony for a Grand Prix legend, Glasgow. Unfortunately this presentation was made while riders were walking the course and many spectators failed to grasp the full extent of the horse's career achievements which include, winning the Refco King George V Cup at Hickstead, to mention just one.  This magnificent animal was sadly not paraded once around the arena for the public to see or photograph; a disappointment to anyone who went to the Classic especially to honor him.  It's not all about the movie stars under the big tent, the equine talent makes the event possible.
Places are what you make them and horses make them better.  Annie Wade
(Photos by Annie Wade).
Other photos from Classic Week will be posted in a few days.